Taco Shell Earth Anchor

ABSTRACT

An earth anchor has the general shape of a taco shell. First and second sidewalls are disposed in transversely spaced apart relation to one another and are interconnected to one another by a bottom wall. An opening is formed in each sidewall, near a top edge of each sidewall and the distal end of an elongate cable, strap, or rope engages each opening. The proximal end of the cable, strap, or rope is secured to an item to be secured against high winds. The earth anchor is driven into the earth and soil between the sidewalls and the bottom wall becomes a structural component of the earth anchor, reinforcing the breaking strength of the anchor and preventing retraction of the earth anchor from the soil.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, generally, to earth anchors. More particularly,it relates to an earth anchor having the general shape of a taco shell.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

To hold an item down in high winds, it is common practice to attach afirst, proximal end of a cable, strap, or rope to the item and a second,distal end of the cable, strap, or rope to an anchoring means. Theanchoring means is then driven into the ground so that the tied-downitem is secure in high winds. The items that may be tied down includetrees, telephone poles, mobile homes, aircraft, and so on.

To prevent the anchor from being pulled to the surface during awindstorm, some anchors are provided with wings or other protuberancesthat extend outwardly from a main body of an anchor. In some designs,the wings deploy if the anchor is pulled toward the surface of theearth. Other designs include ribbing or other protuberances that resistbreakage and retraction of the anchor from the soil.

The known anchors have a heavy-duty construction so that they canprovide great resistance to retraction without breaking.

The known anchors thus have the shortcomings of being bulky, heavy, andexpensive. Being bulky, they require large amounts of storage space.Being heavy, it is costly to distribute them. Being expensive, they arenot purchased in large quantities.

What is needed, then, is a slim, nestable anchor that substantiallyreduces the space required to store them. There is a need as well for alight-in-weight anchor that has a holding power at least as great as aheavy anchor, and there is a need for an inexpensive anchor so thatusers may purchase them in large quantities.

However, in view of the prior art taken as a whole at the time thepresent invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinaryskill how the identified needs could be fulfilled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for an improved earthanchor is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention.

The novel earth anchor, like conventional earth anchors, is adapted tobe driven and deployed into an operative position at a predetermineddistance below the surface of the earth.

It includes a pair of substantially flat sidewalls disposed inconfronting, transversely spaced apart relation to one another. A bottomwall is disposed in interconnecting relation to respective bottom edgesof the sidewalls.

A first engagement means is formed in a first sidewall of the pair ofsidewalls and a second engagement means is formed in a second sidewallof the pair of sidewalls.

The distal end of a cable, strap, or rope, hereinafter referred to as acable means, extends through the first engagement means, around theoutside of the taco shell-shaped anchor and through the secondengagement means to form a loop. The loop is completed by securing thedistal end of the cable means to the cable means at a predetermineddistance from the anchor, on the proximal side thereof.

The proximal end of the cable means is adapted to be secured to an itempositioned on or above the earth surface that requires holding duringhigh wind speed weather conditions.

The first and second sidewalls are at least slightly displaced towardone another when an external force directed towards the tied-down itemis applied to each engagement means. The displacement compresses soilbetween the sidewalls and the bottom wall of the novel earth anchor sothat the compressed soil reinforces the sidewalls and the bottom wall tothe extent that the anchor is strengthened against breaking and the soilcontiguous therewith prevents retraction of the earth anchor from itsoperative position beneath the earth's surface.

The pair of substantially flat sidewalls includes a first sidewall and asecond sidewall. The first sidewall has a central part having a flat orcurved top edge, the latter being preferred. The central part of thefirst sidewall is flanked by integrally formed walls having inclinededges that extend from the bottom wall to the flat or curved top edge ofthe central part of the first sidewall.

The second sidewall also has a central part having a flat or curved topedge. The central part of the second sidewall is flanked by integrallyformed walls having inclined edges that extend from the bottom wall tothe flat or curved top edge of the central part of the second sidewall.

The first engagement means is formed near the central part of the firstsidewall but longitudinally offset from said central part. The secondengagement means is also formed near the central part of the secondsidewall but longitudinally offset therefrom. The first and secondengagement means are formed substantially mid-length of the earth anchorbut slightly longitudinally offset therefrom so that the earth anchor isnot symmetrical about said first and second engagement means.

The first engagement means is preferably provided in the form of acircular aperture formed in the central part of the first sidewall nearthe substantially flat or curved top edge thereof and the secondengagement means is preferably provided in the form of a circularaperture formed in the central part of the second sidewall near thesubstantially flat or curved top edge of said second sidewall centralpart. The first and second engagement means can be positioned closer tothe edge of the device in the preferred embodiment where the respectivetop edges of the sidewalls are curved rather than flat.

A slight concavity is formed in the bottom wall, symmetrical about alongitudinal axis of the bottom wall.

A three-sided louver formed in the bottom wall provides an opening inthe novel earth anchor and is formed toward a preselected end of saidanchor. The louver is angled downwardly, i.e., away from the interior ofthe earth anchor, with respect to the bottom wall. The louver providesengagement means for installation tools.

The first sidewall is disposed relative to the bottom wall at an angleof about one hundred degrees (100°) and the second sidewall is disposedrelative to the bottom wall at the same angle so that the two sidewallsdiverge slightly from one another. The central part of the firstsidewall and the central part of the second sidewall are thereforespaced further apart from one another than a width of the bottom wall,thereby creating a symmetrical taco shell shape.

An important advantage of the novel earth anchor is that it is shapedlike a taco shell and as such a plurality of such anchors may be nestedtogether and stored in a small space, unlike the bulky, un-nestableearth anchors of the prior art.

Another advantage is that the novel earth anchor is light-in-weight sothat it may be manufactured, transported, and distributed economically.

Yet another advantage is that the novel earth anchor lacks wings, ribs,and other protuberances yet is still not retractable from the soilwithin which it is inserted.

Perhaps the most important advantage is that the novel taco shell shapeharnesses the strength of the soil disposed between the side walls andbottom wall of the earth anchor, thereby improving its break strengthand enhancing its anti-retraction strength. This enables the novel earthanchor to be built of less expensive, weaker materials.

These and other advantages will become apparent as this disclosureproceeds. The invention includes the features of construction,arrangement of parts, and combination of elements set forth herein, andthe scope of the invention is set forth in the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of the novel earth anchor;

FIG. 1B is a bottom perspective view thereof;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4A is a bottom plan view of the structure when flat;

FIG. 4B is an end elevational view of the structure depicted in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the structure depicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view that includes a cable or strap connected tothe novel earth anchor;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view depicting installation of the novelearth anchor with the aid of an installation pipe;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view indicating how the novel earth anchoris rotated under ground into its final position of deployment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the novel earth anchor when engaged byan installation pipe;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the structure depicted in FIG. 9;and

FIG. 11 is an end view of the structure depicted in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2-5, it will there be seen that anillustrative embodiment of the invention is denoted as a whole by thereference numeral 10.

Earth anchor 10 has the general appearance of a taco shell. It couldalso be described, perhaps, as having an inverted saddle shape. It maybe made of sixteen (16) gauge stainless steel or thirty three per cent(33%) glass-filled nylon). Accordingly, it can flex slightly under load,but such materials are not normally thought of as being pliable orflexible.

Earth anchors lacking the novel taco shell shape must be built of lowergauge (thicker) steel and nylon having higher percentages of fiberglassmixed therein.

Earth anchor 10 has a pair of transversely spaced apart sidewalls 12, 14that are interconnected at their respective bottom edges by bottom wall16. A slight concavity is formed in bottom wall 16, said concavity beingsymmetrical about a longitudinal axis of said bottom wall. Earth anchor10 is an integrally-formed, one piece structure.

First sidewall 12 is disposed relative to bottom wall 16 at an angleslightly more than ninety degrees (90°) and second sidewall 14 isdisposed relative to bottom wall 16 at the same angle so that the twosidewalls diverge slightly from one another. Central part 12 a of firstsidewall 12 and central part 14 a of second sidewall 14 are thereforespaced further apart from one another than a width of bottom wall 16.More particularly, first sidewall 12 is disposed relative to bottom wall16 at an angle of about one hundred degrees (100°) and second sidewall14 is disposed relative thereto at the same angle, thereby creating asymmetrical taco shell shape.

In a preferred embodiment, sidewall 12 has a central part 12 a with aflat or curved top edge, and sidewall 14 has a central part 14 a with aflat or curved top edge. Central part 12 a is flanked by integrallyformed walls 12 b, 12 c having inclined edges that extend from bottomwall 16 to said flat or curved top edge of said central part 12 a.Central part 14 a is flanked by integrally formed walls 14 b, 14 chaving inclined edges that extend from bottom wall 16 to said flat orcurved top edge of said central part 14 a.

A first engagement means 18 is formed in central part 12 a, downwardlyof said flat or curved top edge. A second engagement means 20 is formedin central part 14 a, downwardly of said flat or curved top edge. Bothengagement means are off-center with respect to the longitudinal extentof earth anchor 10, i.e., said engagement means are spaced apart fromthe mid-point of said earth anchor, on a common side of said mid-point.Thus, when earth anchor 10 is suspended at said engagement means whilein the position depicted in FIG. 2, it tilts as indicated by directionalarrow 19.

In the preferred embodiment, both engagement means take the form ofcircular apertures formed in their respective sidewalls. However, narrowslots that receive a strap could replace the apertures. Instead ofcircular apertures, slots, or other openings, clamps, buckles, andnumerous other means could be substituted therefore for engaging thedistal end of a cable means equipped with mating clamps, buckles, andthe like.

Three-side louver 17 is formed in bottom wall 16 by a punch and isangled downwardly as best depicted in FIG. 2. A machine screw placedperpendicular to and near the leading end of an installation pipe, notshown in FIG. 2, abuts against louver 17 when earth anchor 10 is beinginstalled beneath the surface of the earth. The installation pipe andthe machine screw, denoted 23 and 33 respectively, are depicted in FIGS.9-11.

Although not the preferred configuration, the distal end of a firstcable, rope, or the like could be secured to first engagement means 18and the distal end of a second cable, rope, or the like could be securedto second engagement means 20. The respective proximal ends of saidfirst and second cable means would be secured to the item to be tieddown. The distal end of each cable means is secured to its associatedengagement means prior to the driving into the ground of the novel earthanchor.

As depicted in FIG. 6, a distal free end of cable means 22 follows apath of travel forming a closed loop. Specifically, it extends throughfirst engagement means 18 a (from the inside of the taco shell), underbottom wall 16, through second engagement means 20 a (from the outsideof the taco shell), and is secured to the cable means at a preselectedpoint in spaced relation to earth anchor 10, on the proximal sidethereof. Note that first and second engagement means 18, 20 in thisparticular embodiment are provided in the forms of slots instead ofcircular apertures, and that sidewalls 12 and 14 are hemispherical inshape. Thus, in this embodiment the top edge of each flat wall is curvedas depicted rather than substantially flat as depicted in FIGS. 1A. 1B,2, 3, 4A, 4B, and 5. This embodiment also includes a different means 17a for engaging the leading end of an installation pipe.

Earth anchor 10 is driven into the ground by any suitable means. Forexample, it may be installed using a water jet means of the typedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,308 to the present inventor.

Earth anchor may also be installed in the manner depicted in FIGS. 6 and7. As indicated in FIG. 7, the proximal end of installation pipe 23 isadapted to be rotated by drill means 25. An auger 21 molded aroundanchor 10 draws the anchor into the earth as drill 25 rotatesinstallation pipe 23 and anchor 10.

More particularly, after extending through second engagement means 20,cable means 22 is introduced into the hollow interior of installationpipe 23 and is fished from opening 25 formed in the proximal end of saidinstallation pipe to prevent the cable means from winding around theinstallation pipe. The proximal end of cable means 22 is then secured tothe item to be tied down.

In most cases, cable means 22 will be angled relative to the surface ofthe earth at an angle as depicted in FIG. 8. Whether installation pipe23 is introduced into the earth by a water jet means, by drill means 25of FIG. 7, or other known means, bore 27 is formed in the earth throughwhich cable means 22 extends when installation pipe 23 is removed. Thelongitudinal axis of earth anchor 10 will be in substantial alignmentwith a longitudinal axis of bore 27 when earth anchor 10 has reached itspredetermined depth.

As mentioned earlier, engagement means 18, 20 are not centered withrespect to the length of earth anchor 10. Accordingly, pulling uponcable means 22 in the direction of directional arrow 29 in FIG. 8 causesearth anchor 10 to pivot about an axis transverse to said longitudinalaxis as indicated by directional arrow 31. This deploys earth anchor 10into its operable position where its longitudinal axis is substantiallynormal to the longitudinal axis of cable means 22.

When an external force is applied to cable means 22 in the direction ofarrow 29, a scooping action occurs, i.e., sidewalls 12 and 14 are urgedtoward one another, compressing the soil between them and the bottomwall. Thus, the material from which the earth anchor is made should havesome pliability. In this way, the soil becomes an integral part orstructural component of the earth anchor. Since the soil positionedbetween sidewalls 12 and 14 is part of the soil outside of the spacebetween said sidewalls, the externally applied force cannot raise earthanchor 10.

Accordingly, earth anchor 10 may have a structure that is not as strongas prior art earth anchors because much of its strength is derived fromthe surrounding soil. Moreover, ribbing, angles, and circular geometricshapes that resist breakage and other protuberances to grab or hook intothe soil are not required. Earth anchor 10, in a commercial embodiment,has a length of only about five inches (5″). However, it has the holdingpower and break strength of prior art anchors that are much larger butwhich do not interact with the soil in the manner disclosed herein.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those madeapparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained andsince certain changes may be made in the above construction withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatters contained in the foregoing description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

1. An earth anchor adapted to be driven a predetermined distance belowan earth surface and deployed into an operative position, comprising: apair of substantially flat sidewalls disposed in confronting,transversely spaced apart relation to one another; a bottom walldisposed in interconnecting relation to respective bottom edges of saidsidewalls; a first engagement means formed in a first sidewall of saidpair of sidewalls; a second engagement means formed in a second sidewallof said pair of sidewalls; said first and second engagement meansadapted to be engaged by a distal end of an elongate cable means; saidelongate cable means having a proximal end adapted to be secured to anitem that requires holding during high wind speed weather conditions,said item being positioned above said earth surface; said first andsecond sidewalls being at least slightly displaced toward one anotherwhen an external force directed towards said item is applied to eachengagement means, said displacement compressing soil between saidsidewalls and said bottom wall so that said soil becomes a reinforcingstructural element for said sidewalls and said bottom wall and soilcontiguous therewith prevents retraction of said earth anchor from itsoperative position beneath said earth surface.
 2. The earth anchor ofclaim 1, further comprising: said first sidewall having a central parthaving a curved top edge; said central part of said first sidewall beingflanked by integrally formed walls having inclined edges that extendfrom said bottom wall to said curved top edge of said central part ofsaid first sidewall; said second sidewall having a central part having acurved top edge; said central part of said second sidewall being flankedby integrally formed walls having inclined edges that extend from saidbottom wall to said curved top edge of said central part of said secondsidewall; said first engagement means being formed in said central partof said first sidewall; said second engagement means being formed insaid central part of said second sidewall; and said first and secondengagement means being formed substantially mid-length of said earthanchor, in offset relation to a mid-point of said earth anchor.
 3. Theearth anchor of claim 1, further comprising: said first sidewall havinga central part having a substantially flat top edge; said central partof said first sidewall being flanked by integrally formed walls havinginclined edges that extend from said bottom wall to said substantiallyflat top edge of said central part of said first sidewall; said secondsidewall having a central part having a substantially flat top edge;said central part of said second sidewall being flanked by integrallyformed walls having inclined edges that extend from said bottom wall tosaid substantially flat top edge of said central part of said secondsidewall; said first engagement means being formed in said central partof said first sidewall; said second engagement means being formed insaid central part of said second sidewall; and said first and secondengagement means being formed substantially mid-length of said earthanchor, in offset relation to a mid-point of said earth anchor.
 4. Theearth anchor of claim 2, further comprising: said first engagement meansbeing an aperture formed in said central part of said first sidewallnear said curved top edge; and said second engagement means being anaperture formed in said central part of said second sidewall near saidcurved top edge.
 5. The earth anchor of claim 3, further comprising:said first engagement means being an aperture formed in said centralpart of said first sidewall near said substantially flat top edge; andsaid second engagement means being an aperture formed in said centralpart of said second sidewall near said substantially flat top edge. 6.The earth anchor of claim 1, further comprising: a slight concavityformed in said bottom wall; said slight concavity being symmetricalabout a longitudinal axis of said bottom wall.
 7. The earth anchor ofclaim 6, further comprising: a louver formed in said bottom wall; saidlouver being angled away from an interior of said earth anchor; saidlouver having a slight concave curvature along its longitudinal extentthat matches the concave curvature of said bottom wall.
 8. The earthanchor of claim 1, further comprising: said first sidewall beingdisposed relative to said bottom wall at an angle slightly more thanninety degrees (90°); said second sidewall being disposed relative tosaid bottom wall at an angle slightly more than ninety degrees (90°);said central part of said first sidewall and said central part of saidsecond sidewall therefore being spaced further apart from one anotherthan a width of said bottom wall.
 9. The earth anchor of claim 8,further comprising: said first sidewall being disposed relative to saidbottom wall at an angle of about one hundred degrees (100°); said secondsidewall being disposed relative to said bottom wall at an angle ofabout one hundred degrees (100°).
 10. The earth anchor of claim 1,further comprising: an elongate cable means following a path of travelso that said cable means has a proximal end secured to an item to besecured, and a distal end that sequentially extends through said firstengagement means, around said bottom wall in overlying relation thereto,through said second engagement means, and is secured to said cable meansat a preselected location proximal to said earth anchor.
 11. The earthanchor of claim 10, further comprising: said first and second engagementmeans being positioned so that they are in spaced relation to amid-point of said anchor on a common side of said mid-point; wherebywhen tension is applied to said cable means, said earth anchor pivotsfrom a first position where a longitudinal axis of the earth anchor issubstantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said strap means to asecond, deployed position where the longitudinal axis of the earthanchor is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thecable means.